I am a terrible test-taker. In high school I approached every exam with high hopes that I would ace the exam, until I saw the multiple-choice questions with choices A, B, C or D—and things would go downhill from there.

I’d re-read the question, think, well, if the question said that; then A would be right. Or what if that happened, and then C would be right. Essay exams held more potential, until I would read the question and think, you’ve got to be kidding and proceed to explain the real point of the book. Any cajoling from the teachers to just answer the question that was being asked, to me, clearly showed a lack of imagination as I continued my defiant test-taking habits in college.

The most important question in life, however, is not multiple choice or even an essay. It’s the question the Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Their reply was straightforward: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:30-31)

There is something, however, in rebellious test-takers like me—or just the plain rebellious—that wants to turn the jailer’s question into a multiple-choice answer.

Question 1—What must one do to be saved? Believe in the Lord Jesus and

a. family

b. politics

c. education

d. success

e. all of the above

Scripture remains steadfast in its answer: Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved. So, why are we so steadfast in our attempts to add to our salvation? Part of me wants to blame the educational system that ingrained in us the mentality that hard work is rewarded with good grades, early acceptance to college and success in the real world. All this, however, sidetracks from our heart issue, our pride that gets in the way of the free gift of salvation. The true answer isn’t even on the test.

Question 2—The free gift of salvation is

a. not like the trespass

b. not like the result of one’s man sin

c. through one man’s act of righteousness

d. all of the above

Paul said it better than any of us ever will when he wrote, “because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.” (Romans 5:17-18)

It’s the little word “all” that creates dissonance for, well, for all of us. To those who don’t believe, it’s hard to hear that all are sinners, all condemned. To those who believe, it’s hard to hear that God’s mercy is for all, all those “who-so-evers” who believe will be saved.

In a recent Bible study lesson, a question said to read Romans 11:33-36. Naturally, being the compliant, dutiful student that I am, I read verse 32: “For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.”

Paul had no dissonance between condemnation and mercy because it always has been and always will be all God—not a result of our multiple choice answers lest any of us boasts that we aced the test, since we would all flunk it apart from his mercy.

Yes, I did read Romans 11:33-36—Paul’s lyrical doxology to God, rich in mercy, lavish in love, beyond our understanding.

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?”
“Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?”
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.